Siheyuan, integrating everything, cultivating the city

"I know that the relationship between you two is complicated, but I don't want you to avoid this issue." Li Xiangqian's voice became more serious. He didn't want to give Xu Damao any chance to escape. "What exactly happened between you and Qin Huairu?"

Xu Damao's expression became more complicated, and a trace of pain flashed in his eyes. He paused for a long time, and finally whispered: "She is my past, a secret that I couldn't tell anyone back then."

Li Xiangqian was slightly shocked, knowing that the "past" Xu Damao was talking about was not just a simple past. Xu Damao's past was full of secrets that he had never shared with anyone, and Qin Huairu seemed to be one of the keys.

"What happened between you?" Li Xiangqian asked, with a hint of oppression in his tone, but he knew that if Xu Damao was unwilling to speak, it would be difficult to fully understand this relationship.

Xu Damao's eyes gradually dimmed, and he whispered, "What happened between us has been a long time ago, and I don't want to mention it anymore. But she always appears in the courtyard, constantly reminding me of the things I don't want to recall."

Li Xiangqian frowned, and finally understood that there was some unfathomable entanglement between the two people. Perhaps it was past love, or perhaps it was some unspeakable bond, but no matter what, this was not an ordinary relationship.

"Do you want to continue?" Li Xiangqian asked calmly, "Are you willing to let Qin Huairu continue to appear in your life, or do you decide to cut off ties with her completely?"

Xu Damao's expression suddenly became complicated, as if he was trapped in a whirlpool that was difficult to escape. There was a trace of confusion and helplessness in his eyes: "I don't know, I'm a little confused."

Li Xiangqian looked at him and sighed deeply. Although he had expected this, he still couldn't eliminate the doubts in his heart after seeing Xu Damao's reaction. What role did Qin Huairu play, and why did Xu Damao struggle with her so much?

"You have to make a decision." Li Xiangqian's tone was no longer as relaxed as before. He whispered, "No matter what happened in the past, you have to decide how to go forward."

Xu Damao lowered his head and folded his hands on his knees, as if struggling with how to answer Li Xiangqian's words. His expression was complicated, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed a look of helplessness and pain.

Seeing this, Li Xiangqian quietly waited for Xu Damao to speak. He knew that Xu Damao had always had his own unspeakable secrets. This person had always lived in his own world in the past, and even Li Xiangqian could not really get into his heart. This scene today was obviously another reaction from him to some unknown past.

"I don't want you to tell anyone else." Xu Damao's voice was low and resolute. He raised his head and looked into Li Xiangqian's eyes, which were full of requests and warnings. "No matter how you understand me or how you see me, I don't want this to be known to outsiders."

Li Xiangqian was slightly stunned, and felt a strange feeling in his heart. He could feel the anxiety and tension behind Xu Damao's words. It was not just a simple fear of being known. It was a kind of fear hidden deep in his heart, a fear of not being able to face his past.

"Why are you so scared?" Li Xiangqian's voice was no longer as calm as before, and there was a hint of concern. He knew that Xu Damao's past was not just a simple matter of the past, and there must be something more complicated behind it.

Xu Damao held the teacup tightly in his hand, as if grasping the last bit of comfort. His breathing became rapid, and it was obvious that he was trying his best to suppress his inner emotional fluctuations, and there was a light of despair in his eyes.

"You don't understand," Xu Damao's voice trembled slightly, "If this matter were known to others, not only me, but also Qin Huairu would fall into an irretrievable predicament. She doesn't want everyone to know."

When Li Xiangqian heard this, he felt a little confused, but he did not interrupt Xu Damao. Instead, he waited quietly for him to continue.

"We once had a past that is too painful to recall," Xu Damao paused, his eyes blurred, as if he was lost in memories of the past, "Qin Huairu gave me great support when I needed help the most. She was not only my friend, but also... my lover. But at that time, I was too confused and too immature, and in the end... we missed each other."

Li Xiangqian did not respond immediately. He knew that Xu Damao was in a heavy mood when he said these words. The missed love obviously left a deep scar on Xu Damao. He looked at Xu Damao quietly, waiting for him to continue.

Xu Damao sighed softly, as if he was relieved, but also as if he was more confused: "But things are more complicated than I thought. Qin Huairu has not completely gotten over the past, and she still has deep feelings for me. And I have never let her go. Now, we are both trapped in the shadow of the past and cannot extricate ourselves."

Li Xiangqian was somewhat shocked. It turned out that the relationship between Xu Damao and Qin Huairu was not just a simple emotional issue, but also had more unresolved entanglements. The "missed" that Xu Damao mentioned was not just a miss in time, but more about the past that they had never properly faced.

"What are you going to do now?" Li Xiangqian asked in a low voice. He knew that this was not just Xu Damao's personal problem. Qin Huairu was also caught up in this complicated emotional whirlpool.

Xu Damao was silent for a moment, then slowly raised his head, a look of determination flashing in his eyes: "I don't know, but I can't let others know about this, especially the people in the courtyard. If they knew, all the entanglements would be exposed, and not only would we be unable to bear it, but the entire courtyard would also be in chaos."

Li Xiangqian nodded, and he somewhat understood Xu Damao's concerns. He knew that although Xu Damao looked rough on the outside, he was not simple on the inside, especially when facing the missed relationship between him and Qin Huairu, he was even more vulnerable. Although Li Xiangqian did not fully understand the truth of the matter, he could already feel that Xu Damao's request was not out of selfishness, but that he was protecting someone he thought was important - Qin Huairu.

"Okay, I won't tell anyone." Li Xiangqian finally spoke. His tone was steady, but his eyes were full of meaning. "But you have to understand that running away won't solve the problem. No matter what you decide to do, one day, the past will be revealed."

Xu Damao lowered his head with a heavy expression. He did not refute Li Xiangqian's words. He obviously knew this truth, but he still stubbornly maintained his position.